Hands that continue to heal

Aline Merkel still relieves pain in retirement years

Aline Merkel still relieves pain in retirement years

April 27, 2007|IDA CHIPMAN Tribune Correspondent

FRANCESVILLE -- They call her "Doc." She had -- and still has -- the "healing touch." Aline Merkel, 91, served thousands of patients during her 62 years as a doctor of chiropractic in Plymouth. She misses them. She laughed with delight and slapped her hands against the table at the prospect of having company at her new home, the Parkview Haven Nursing Home here. She's been in Francesville since relatives helped her make the move on a foggy day in the middle of March. "How ya' doing?" longtime friend, patient and personal beautician Zelma Saxton asked. "Still kickin,'" the feisty little lady answered. "I'm doing great!" Born in Wolcott, Ind., on Valentine's Day in 1916, Aline was the second of six children. Her farmer, a German immigrant, had bought a farm. Her mother raised 800 baby chicks in two large brooders. "I learned to know pain," Aline said. When she was 12, while tending the chicks, her mother's clothes caught fire. She and her father beat out the flames with their hands, but it was too late. Aline's mother died three days later. She and her dad suffered burns on their hands and arms. Aline had learned to cook from watching her mother. While going to Meadow Lake School, she helped take care of her siblings. After her father re-married, she found a job as a nanny to the two young children of the Fraziers, a husband and wife chiropractic team. Inspired by their lives and profession, Aline found what she wanted to do in her life. "It opened up a whole new world to me," she said. "I kept encouraging myself -- I wanted to be able to help people so bad." She enrolled in the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, working her way through school by cooking and waiting tables in a local restaurant. She lived with a Davenport family and helped to care for their three children in exchange for room and board. Graduated in 1945, she came to Plymouth to establish her practice. Being a woman, she was well ahead of her time and was a bit of a shock to the medical community. "At first, I had no money, no car and no office," she said. All she had was courage and the determination to succeed. Within six months, the young doc was driving her own car and making house calls. "The Lord was guiding me," she said. It wasn't all easy. In May 1950, the State of Indiana sought a permanent injunction to stop Merkel from practicing medicine without a license. "They did not scare me one little bit," she recollected. "I stood my ground." The courtroom was packed with supporters of the energetic young doctor. The streets around the courthouse were lined with cars bearing placards with slogans, "Health Freedom," and "We demand our Rights." In a statement after Judge Alvin Marsh's ruling that she would have to get a license, Aline said, "I intend to stay at my residence to do my part in fighting for the principle and freedom of the sick to go to the doctor of their choice." And she did. The opposition died out. Eventually, the State of Indiana allowed chiropractors to practice with a chiropractic license instead of the medical license the Indiana State Medical Association was demanding. Aline's is considered to be the case that made a breakthrough and brought a patient's right of choice of treatment to the public's attention. In the early 1960s, an advanced method of chiropractic skills came to Aline's attention. Called the Toftness Technique, it is a low-force method of adjustment now practiced by thousands of chiropractors the world over. Toftness restores balance and promotes wellness. There is no cracking or heavy manipulation Aline traveled to Cumberland, Wis., and, after learning the skills, became an enthusiastic supporter of the Toftness methods. "I love chiropractic. I love being able to fix what is wrong without drugs and medicines." Aline has mentored many young people to become chiropractic doctors. Her healing touch will be missed in Plymouth and many surrounding counties. "I never hurt anyone," she said. "If I didn't know what was the matter .... my theory was just to wait awhile and think." Joyce Moore, a friend now living in Lafayette, once asked her why she took the time to learn the new system. "I wanted to do more for my people," Doc said. Joyce, who helped in the office, told countless stories of relief and healing. "There was a baby who cried for days. The mother was distraught and brought her in to the doctor. She laid the infant on her shoulder and gently stroked her back with her special touch. "The mother called later to tell how her child was resting and sleeping well after her tender adjustment." Joyce spoke too of a young carpenter who walked in doubled-over with a back injury. "After a Toftness treatment, he left standing up straight and pain-free." Toward the end of our visit, she insisted on checking Zelma's back. Her hands, strong but gentle, traversed Zelma's neck and spine in a 10-minute treatment. "I'm glad you came," she said smiling. "You needed that."